Kris Taylor

Kris Taylor
Personal information
Full name Kris Taylor
Date of birth (1984-01-12) 12 January 1984
Place of birth Cannock, England
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Playing position Left-back
Left winger
Youth career
1998 Wolverhampton Wanderers
1998–2001 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 Manchester United 0 (0)
2003–2007 Walsall 82 (6)
2004–2005 → Burton Albion (loan) 5 (3)
2006 → Burton Albion (loan) 15 (4)
2007–2009 Hereford United 70 (2)
2009–2011 Port Vale 61 (3)
2011–2012 Darlington 20 (0)
2012 Darlington 16 (0)
2012–2013 AFC Telford United 23 (0)
2013 → Hednesford Town (loan) 10 (4)
2013–2014 Hednesford Town 42 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 3 May 2015 (UTC).


Kris Taylor (born 12 January 1984) is an English footballer who plays primarily as a left-sided midfielder.

Never making the first team at Manchester United, he spent over three seasons at Walsall, after signing in February 2003. He spent two seasons at Hereford United from 2007 to 2009, before moving on to Port Vale for another two season spell. Following this he signed with non-league Darlington in June 2011, before his contract was terminated in January 2012. He signed with AFC Telford United in August 2012, and was loaned out to Hednesford Town in March 2013. His move to Hednesford was permanent three months later after he helped the club to win the Birmingham Senior Cup and the Northern Premier League play-off final. He continued playing for the club after beating testicular cancer in 2014.

Playing career

Walsall

Taylor was born in Cannock and was originally on the books of Wolves; he was signed by Manchester United at the age of 14 for a fee of £200,000. He signed his first professional contract on 26 January 2001, but never played for the first team. He left Old Trafford in February 2003, having featured three times for the reserves, and joined Walsall.[2]

Initially playing for the reserves at Walsall, he went on to score on his first team debut on 31 January 2004 in a 3–2 defeat away at Stoke City. He went on to make a further ten first-team appearances for the club that season and was retained upon the season's conclusion,[3] signing a one-year deal.[4] Walsall having been relegated in 2003–04, Taylor could still not break into the team in League One. After three cup and three league appearances early in 2004–05 he was put on the transfer list by Paul Merson.[5] Taylor went out on loan to Burton Albion in December,[6] after he caught the eye of Nigel Clough during a Birmingham Senior Cup match with Burton.[7] He impressed at Eton Park, making a total of six appearances and scoring four goals. He scored a memorable goal from 35 yards against Tamworth,[8] and also scored against his future club Hereford in a 3–0 win.[9] He scored four goals in six games for the Conference club, making a massive impact in his five weeks in Burton.[10] On his return to the Bescot Stadium an offer from Carlisle United was rejected,[11] and he signed a new two-year contract at the end of the season.[12]

He was a regular in the first team in the first half of the 2005–06 season, before returning to Burton Albion in early January. This time the loan lasted until the end of the season, though Taylor didn't manage to find the form he reached in his previous loan spell.[13] He scored four goals in fifteen games before returning to Walsall in time for the last game of the season. Walsall were relegated once again in 2005–06, leaving them in League Two for 2006–07 season. He hit forty games for the "Swifts", helping the club achieve promotion as champions. Taylor was not rewarded for his efforts and was instead told to look for a new club by "Saddlers" boss Richard Money.[14]

Hereford United

In July 2007, he signed for Hereford United.[15] In his first season with the club he was noted for his versatility, playing at left back, left midfield and central midfield. In similar form to the previous season, Taylor put in a forty-game season to help his club win promotion to League One, this time with a third-place finish. In contrast to his experience with Walsall, Taylor stayed with the "Bulls" for the 2008–09 campaign. He played 43 games, though could do little to prevent the "Whites" suffering relegation with a last place finish, 14 points off safety. Holding out on the club's offer of a new contract,[16] he left the club in the summer of 2009 in search of pastures new.[17]

Port Vale

In July 2009 he went out on trial at League Two side Port Vale, and scored from around 20 yards in a 7–0 win over Rocester in a pre-season friendly.[18] He impressed manager Micky Adams on his trial and would have been signed to a contract if the cash-strapped club could find the finance; instead Adams offered Taylor non-contract terms,[19] he signed a short-term deal in early August.[20][21] This was not enough for Taylor, who resolved to win a long-term contract with the club.[22] His man-of-the-match performances also persuaded Adams to try to hold on to him.[23] On 25 August he went a long way towards achieving this goal, scoring a wonder goal in a 2–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup Second Round.[24]

"I was happy to see Vale get the win, and the first goal from Kris Taylor was probably the goal of the competition so far."
— Pundit and former Vale star Mark Bright.[25]

Unable to find the cash to fund Taylor's wages, the club were aided by a £5,000 donation from 'Vale Volunteers', raised specifically by fans to keep Taylor at the club.[26] He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.[27] His second goal of the season came in the local derby at Crewe Alexandra, Taylor scoring the winner in a 2–1 victory.[28] In October 2009 he signed a new deal that would keep him at the club until the end of the season.[29][30] He made 49 appearances throughout the season, as his club finished just outside the play-offs.[31] He was offered a new one-year contract by the club at the end of the season,[32] which he quickly signed.[33] His manager explained that Taylor's inconsistency prevented a longer contract offer,[34] and Taylor accepted the explanation.[35]

He made a slow start to the 2010–11 campaign, but in November declared he aimed to re-establish himself into the first team.[36] He got his opportunity to shine when left-back Lee Collins was out of action for a month with split shins.[37] Ending the season with just twenty league appearances throughout the season, he was released from the club in May 2011.[38] Adams said that he had faith in Taylor's ability, but that he hadn't played enough games in 2010–11 to justify a new contract.[39]

Non-league

In June 2011, he signed with Darlington of the Conference National on a one-year contract.[40][41] Manager Mark Cooper stated that "It's a big signing for us, Kris has a great range of passing and is a set-piece specialist, he's certainly a player who will excite."[42] Darlington suffered financial difficulties during Taylor's time at the club and his contract was terminated on 16 January 2012, along with the rest of the playing squad and caretaker manager Craig Liddle.[43] However a surprise decision meant that the club would continue to complete their remaining fixtures, and Taylor returned to Darlington on a non-contract basis.[44]

In August 2012, he returned to Port Vale to train and maintain his match fitness.[45] On 9 August, he signed a one-year deal with Conference club AFC Telford United.[46] Manager Andy Sinton said that "We're very fortunate to get somebody of his calibre".[47]

Taylor joined Northern Premier League side Hednesford Town on loan in March 2013.[48] He was recalled to the Telford squad for the last two games of the season after Ryan Valentine and Dan Preston both picked up injuries.[49] Telford ended the season in last place, and were relegated. Taylor returned to Keys Park to help the "Pitmen" win the Birmingham Senior Cup final against Sutton Coldfield Town and the play-off final against F.C. United of Manchester.[50][51] The move had been made permanent in June when Taylor signed a one-year contract with Hednesford.[52] He made 36 appearances in the 2013–14 season, as the club reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Altrincham. He was released in October 2014.[53] He later played for Rushall Olympic.[54]

Style of play

Former Port Vale and Hereford teammate Lee Collins described Taylor as: "really good on the ball and is also good to have around. He filled in at left-back at Hereford, but is also talented in central midfield. He has two good feet, but is particularly strong on his left foot. He's got a good touch and a good passing range."[55]

Early in his career he was a goalscoring midfielder, and in January 2005 said that the left-back spot "isn’t really me".[10] In addition to his ability to play down the wings, he can also play as a centre-back if the situation dictates.[56]

"The best [full-back] I have come up against this season would be Port Vale's Kris Taylor. His positioning as a full back is very good and he has got a great left foot. He also contributes with a goal now and then as well and is comfortable with the ball at his feet which is something you can't say about every defender in this division."
— Notts County midfielder Ben Davies speaking in March 2010.[57]

Personal life

Taylor is a Manchester United supporter.[58] In January 2011, his fiancée Jenny gave birth to the couple's first child, Lydia.[59]

In January 2014, Taylor was informed he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.[60] His tumour was removed and after one dose of chemotherapy he returned to playing football within weeks.[61]

He graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in July 2016 with a Bachelor degree in Sports Science.[62]

Statistics

As of 3 May 2015.
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[63] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Burton Albion (loan)2004–05[64]Conference National5300001[lower-alpha 1]1[lower-alpha 1]64
2005–06[65]Conference National154000000154
Total 207000011218
Walsall2003–04[66]First Division111000000111
2004–05[64]League One12200102[lower-alpha 2]0152
2005–06[65]League One24220001[lower-alpha 2]0272
2006–07[67]League Two35120201[lower-alpha 2]0401
Total 826403040936
Hereford United2007–08[68]League Two31160201[lower-alpha 2]0401
2008–09[69]League One39121101[lower-alpha 2]0432
Total 702813020833
Port Vale2009–10[70]League Two41330312[lower-alpha 2]0494
2010–11[71]League Two20030102[lower-alpha 2]0260
Total 613604140754
Darlington2011–12[72][73]Conference National36010001[lower-alpha 1]0380
AFC Telford United2012–13[72][74]Conference National23031001[lower-alpha 1]1[lower-alpha 1]272
Hednesford Town2012–13[75]Northern Premier League104000010114
2013–14[72]Conference North33220001[lower-alpha 1]0362
2014–15[72]Conference North9000000090
Total 526200020566
Career total 3442424210115239329
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearance/s and goal/s in the FA Trophy.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy.

Honours

Walsall
Hereford United
Hednesford Town

References

  1. ↑ "Kris Taylor". ESPN. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  2. ↑ "Saddlers sign Taylor". BBC Sport. 10 February 2003. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Walsall let nine go". BBC Sport. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  4. ↑ "Walsall duo sign deals". BBC Sport. 23 May 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  5. ↑ "Merson to allow Taylor to leave". BBC Sport. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  6. ↑ "Brewers land Saddlers youngster". BBC Sport. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Taylor set for Burton loan switch". BBC Sport. 26 November 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "KRIS TAYLOR". burtonalbion.com. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  9. ↑ "Burton Albion 3–0 Hereford". BBC Sport. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  10. 1 2 "Kris Taylor Interview". burtonalbion.com. 14 January 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "Walsall reject offer for Taylor". BBC Sport. 13 January 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  12. ↑ "Taylor pens new Saddlers contract". BBC Sport. 10 March 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  13. ↑ "Taylor return ruled out by Clough". BBC Sport. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  14. ↑ "Money starts clear out at Walsall". BBC Sport. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  15. ↑ "Hereford complete triple capture". BBC Sport. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  16. ↑ "Taylor holding out on Bulls deal". BBC Sport. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  17. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (17 July 2009). "Port Vale: Trialist Taylor hoping for promotion treble". The Sentinel. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  18. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (16 July 2009). "Port Vale: Rocester v Port Vale match report". The Sentinel. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  19. ↑ "Adams keen to snap up trial pair". BBC Sport. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  20. ↑ "Breaking News: Vale sign Taylor". The Sentinel. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  21. ↑ "Taylor signs short-term Vale deal". BBC Sport. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  22. ↑ "Taylor grateful for Vale chance". BBC Sport. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  23. ↑ Shaw, Steve (25 August 2009). "Port Vale: Adams hints at Taylor extension". The Sentinel. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  24. ↑ "Spectacular goal delights Taylor". BBC Sport. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  25. ↑ "Bright thrilled with Vale cup win". BBC Sport. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  26. ↑ "Port Vale: Adams praises volunteer group". The Sentinel. 5 September 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  27. ↑ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  28. ↑ "Crewe 1 – 2 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  29. ↑ "Taylor Agrees New Contract". port-vale.co.uk. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  30. ↑ "Taylor agrees new Vale contract". BBC Sport. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  31. ↑ "Port Vale's Kris Taylor under pressure to perform". BBC Sport. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  32. ↑ "Goalkeeper Joe Anyon released by Port Vale". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  33. ↑ "Port Vale deals for Griffith, McCombe, Martin & Taylor". BBC Sport. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  34. ↑ "Port Vale: Taylor urged to prove his worth". The Sentinel. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  35. ↑ "Port Vale: Kris Taylor signs new one-year deal with Valiants". 22 May 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  36. ↑ Shaw, Steve (20 November 2010). "Port Vale: Kris Taylor eyes regular first-team spot". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  37. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (16 December 2010). "Port Vale: Hyde and seek game pays off for Taylor as he finds best form". Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  38. ↑ "Kris Taylor and Matthew Bell released by Port Vale". BBC Sport. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  39. ↑ steve shaw (27 May 2011). "Port Vale: Kris Taylor and Matt Bell head for exit door". The Sentinel. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  40. ↑ "Port Vale: Former Valiant Taylor joins Darlington". The Sentinel. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  41. ↑ Martin Walker (1 June 2011). "Kris Taylor joins Quakers". darlington-fc.net. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  42. ↑ "Darlington sign utility man Kris Taylor". BBC Sport. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  43. ↑ "Darlington axe manager Craig Liddle and players". BBC Sport. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  44. ↑ Stoddart, Craig (19 January 2012). "Quakers need reinforcements". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  45. ↑ Johnson, Dave (2 August 2012). "Stafford Rangers 1 Port Vale 3". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  46. ↑ "Bucks make several signings ahead of Big Kick Off". afctelfordunited.co.uk. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  47. ↑ "AFC Telford sign ex-Port Vale midfielder Kris Taylor". BBC Sport. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  48. ↑ "pitchero.com". Hednesford Borrow Bucks Midfielder. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  49. ↑ "Telford call Kris Taylor back from Hednesford". Shropshire Star. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  50. ↑ "Hednesford Town 2 FC United of Manchester 1". Express & Star. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  51. ↑ "Hednesford Town 4-1 Sutton Coldfield Town". hednesfordtownfc.com. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  52. ↑ "Taylor signs for Pitmen". Hednesford Town FC. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  53. ↑ "Player news". hednesfordtownfc.com. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  54. ↑ Beardmore, Michael (8 October 2015). "Rushall star Kris dreams of Saddlers reunion - but first Stourbridge stand in FA Cup path". Walsall Advertiser. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  55. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (22 July 2009). "Port Vale: Collins hoping old pal is offered Vale deal". The Sentinel. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  56. ↑ "Port Vale's Kris Taylor comfortable at centre-back". BBC Sport. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  57. ↑ "Ben Davies: My goals are helping us close in on Rochdale". BetFair. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  58. ↑ Shaw, Steve (26 August 2009). "Port Vale: Valiants want big name draw after second Championship scalp". The Sentinel. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  59. ↑ "Port Vale: Taylor keeps fingers crossed over new contract". The Sentinel. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  60. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (3 February 2014). "Former Vale player Kris Taylor diagnosed with cancer". The Sentinel. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  61. ↑ Burch, James. "Hednesford defender Kris Taylor targets promotion after cancer fight". staffslive.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  62. ↑ "PFA graduates 2016!". www.thepfa.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  63. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy, FA Trophy, and Birmingham Senior Cup.
  64. 1 2 "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  65. 1 2 "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  72. 1 2 3 4 Kris Taylor profile at Soccerway
  73. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  74. ↑ "Games played by Kris Taylor in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  75. ↑ "2012-13 Statistics". hednesfordtown.com. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
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